Friday 9th September saw the very first Presentation Evening for HARC members, this year held at Tom & Nellie’s in Bedale. Gemma Wardle, the Club’s Chair, began the evening with a moving, heart-felt welcome speech. Much laughter and camaraderie followed, as between courses members of the Awards Sub-committee took the opportunity to introduce the awards that would be available for presentation at the end of the forthcoming season, which runs annually from the beginning of September.
Members are to be recognised for their achievements based on the club’s founding principles which set out the values and ethos of their members: Caring & Supporting; Coaching-Led; For Everyone; and Enjoying Our Sport. Full details of the criteria used to determine each award can be found on HARC’s website.
In future, awards will be presented for the following: ‘Volunteer of the Year’; ‘Mighty Oak’ (for improvement); ‘Greatest of the Year’ (performance awards); ‘The Sinton-Hewitt Trophy’ (based on participation at Parkrun); ‘The Captain Cook Cup’ for endeavour; and ‘The Rock’ (based on attendance at club sessions.
The final award ‘Peer of the Year’ is voted for by club members and is given to the person who most personifies the HARC ethos. More than a dozen club members were recognised this year, not just for being generally lovely people, but they were also deemed to have gone the extra mile, as well as being passionate and committed to their sports.
The inaugural winner of this award is Gemma Wardle, for her unwavering encouragement, endless patience, support and advice. Gemma graciously accepted saying “It is a huge privilege to receive such a special award on its very first presentation. I feel honoured and very grateful. Thank you so much to my fellow HARC members”.
Congratulations on a thoroughly well-deserved accolade!
